“Mega Hobby EXPO2016 Autumn,” an event hosted by Mega House that focuses on exhibitions of figures and other such hobby products, was held on November 26th (Sat) at “AKIBA_SQUARE” on the 2nd floor of Akihabara UDX in Tokyo.
“Life with Hobby” was the theme of the event. There were displays such as a special room corner, “Realistic Model Series HG Series Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Ptolemaios Container,” and “Rubber Mascot Buddy Collection Iron-Blooded Orphans Pride & Determination.” Special stages were also held for the “SD GUNDAM Gaiden Festival” and “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” along with announcements of the latest news and products.
Without further ado, let’s go into the event and its vast variety of displays.
▲ A “girls” and “boys” room was prepared for the special display corner and provides a few ways to display the charms of your hobby inside of your living space!
▲ The hidden products in the “SD GUNDAM Gaiden Festival” corner were unveiled after the end of the special stage!
※ The “Realistic Model Series” is an official product that can be used to display Gunpla from the HG and RG series from the Bandai Hobby Operations Department.
※ The Gunpla displayed is sold separately.
▲ The “Variable Action Tekkadan Mobile Worker” (preorders have ended) will have its own article published in the Hobby Japan February 2017 issue, on sale December 24th (Sat)!
[Left] G.E.M. Series Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Mikazuki Augus Scheduled to ship in late March 2017 / 11,000 yen (tax excluded)
[Right] G.E.M. Series Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Orga Itsuka Scheduled to ship in late March 2017 / 11,000 yen (tax excluded)
[Inside] Rubber Mascot Buddy Collection Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Pride & Determination
Currently on sale / 600 yen each (tax excluded)
[Front] Ochatomo Series Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans The Source of Life is in a Meal!
Goes on sale late January 2017 / 700 yen each (tax excluded)
▲ Valuable illustrations, key frames, and proposal materials were on display in the “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” corner! Attendees were able to freely write in the “exchange notebook” and a “what would you like to become a canvas art product survey!”
Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Orphan Chu of 3-Choume On sale in late January 2017 / 740 yen each (tax excluded)
■ Artist Yokoi goes up on stage with illustrations on display! The “SD Gundam Gaiden Festival” special stage!
special stage at the event was held called the “SD Gundam Gaiden Festival,” firing up the audience for “SD Gundam Gaiden,” collaboration between all departments of the Bandai Namco Group. Mega House’s development staff went up on stage with well-known SD Gundam artist Yokoi as a special guest. On stage, they talked about secret development stories and introduced various products.
The topic of their conversation turned to “Shin SD Gundam Gaiden Gaitoushin Senki Knight Heero & Angel Princess Relena” which had just released. In addition to the actual product which was hidden in the display, the original Carddass from 20 years ago, with which it was based from, also made an appearance. They appealed to the audience with the replica’s high quality.
The poses are based from a scene in an opening in the latter half of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and reflects the know-how from “Alpha Omega Series Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Heero Yuy & Relena Peacecraft” which had also used the same scene as a motif. Both characters have wings on their backs; Relena’s a pale pink and Heero’s a pale purple. According to artist Yokoi, “We revised Heero’s color slightly since he is a character with a wounded image” and revealed its discerning feature.
It is possible to separate Heero and Relena and the buster sword held by Heero is also removeable. As for the reason why it’s removeable, “Those who are well-acquainted with SD Gundam Gaiden should understand.” Those people should look forward to its release!
“Shin SD Gundam Gaiden Gaitoushin Senki Knight Heero & Angel Princess Relena” will begin accepting preorders on Premium Bandai and other sites from December 2nd (Fri). It is scheduled to ship on June 2017 with its price at 7,500 yen excluding tax.
Shin SD Gundam Gaiden Gaitoushin Senki Knight Heero & Angel Princess Relena
Price: 7,500 yen (tax excluded)
Preorder Period: Begins on December 2, 2016 (Fri)
Shipping Date: Scheduled for June 2017
▲ The original Carddass from approximately 20 years ago and valuable key frames were also on display along with the new item!
“Knight Gundam Sandrock” and “Knight Shenlong Gundam” from “New Testament SD Gundam Gaiden Shinsei Seitan Densetsu The Second Coming of the Holy Knight” were revealed for the first time on stage as well as a rough drawing of “Gundam Barbatos” by artist Yokoi. Details on how to participate in the game app and an announcement regarding “SD Gundam The Last World” serialized on the Yatate Bunko website operated by Sunrise also occurred during the special stage.
Lastly, artist Yokoi commented that, “I’m in a position where I am drawing for SD Gundam, but I am also carefully watching over its developments as a “single fan.” Everyone, let’s get fired up for SD Gundam together. Please support us so that the festival can continue to do well.” The special stage for the “SD Gundam Gaiden Festival” then ended.
■ New product announcements! The “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” special stage!
『 Ms. Yuka Terasaki, voice of Kudelia Aina Bernstein, went up onto the special stage for “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume”, an official spinoff of Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans . The audience was immediately drawn into the world of “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” once Ms. Terasaki began to read its story aloud.
It was here that Mr. Youhei Matsui, author for “Orphan Chu,” came up on stage. He revealed that he first became involved with this project because he “loves cats” and he “wanted to try writing a poignant story.” A development staff’s pet cat was introduced as the model for Gaelio of Njallarhorn, followed by a picture of Ms. Terasaki’s own pet cat, and showed how they acted like overly loving parents.
▲ The cat that became the model for Gaelio in “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” (left), Ms. Yuka Terasaki’s cat (right)
Both guests gave great reviews in regards to “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” which will be released in late January of next year. They said, “Your dreams will expand by the variety of ways you can decorate,” and “The staff’s attention to detail in replicating the characters is amazing.” Furthermore, they announced the release of its second installment. Loud cheers came from the fans that crowded the stage when the illustrations and prototype were presented on the large monitor.
In addition to this, two more products were introduced: “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume Plushes,” currenting under product review, and a new blanket item. The blanket is scheduled to be sold early at Comic Market 91 from December 29th (Thurs) to the 31st (Sat) and will be held at Tokyo Big Sight. Ms. Terasaki had tested the actual product and gave her seal of approval, “It’s warm!”
It was also announced that “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume” will begin serializing on December 26th (Mon) in the monthly magazine Gundam Ace.
▲ Mr. Youhei Matsui (left) and Ms. Yuka Terasaki (right) holding the “Orphan Chu of 3-Choume Plushes”
▲ The blanket that will be sold early at Comic Market 91
A rock-paper-scissors tournament also took place on stage in a struggle for the “signed key frame” and “signed canvas art.” Lastly, Mr. Matsui passionately commented, “Please make Kudelia into an animal too! I want her to become an animal!” and the special stage closed with great success.
▲The “signed canvas art” which was a prize for the rock-paper-scissors tournament (left). The area around the stage were tightly packed to the back by crowding fans as they stood watching the stage. (right).
Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans 3 Orphan Chu of 3-Choume 2nd Installment (TENTATIVE)
Release date TBD / Price TBD
▲ The plushes also made an appearance at the display booth after the special stage.
▲ The next EXPO is scheduled to be held on May 27, 2017 (Sat)! Please look forward to the follow-up report.
(Gundam Info Editorial Department)
Mega Hobby EXPO2016 Autumn
[Date] November 26, 2016 (Sat)
[Venue] Akihabara UDX 2F AKIBA_SQUARE
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